Behavioral Health Specialist

Behavioral Health Specialist I/IIStanislaus County is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Behavioral Health Specialist I/II. The entry-level position performs under supervision while the experienced, journey-level position performs with much greater independence. Applicants who have lived experience as a consumer of Behavioral Health & Recovery Services or a family member of a loved one who is/was a consumer of Behavioral Health & Recovery Services are encouraged to apply. This position provides a variety of para-professional counseling services to clients, recommends appropriate referrals, maintains community liaisons to ensure adequate services are made available to clients, provides facilitation for a variety of client-focused specialty groups, and as part of the treatment team, establishes and implements treatment plans. Behavioral Health Specialists work under supervision and may be assigned to regional teams, residential or inpatient facilities and various outpatient programs. Performs field visits to those under care and supervises subordinates. This recruitment will serve to fill multiple full-time and part-time recruitments within Behavioral Health & Recovery Services.Application deadlines and tentative exam dates:Application deadline: April 20, 2026 | Oral Examination: Tentatively, April 27, 2026Application deadline: May 11, 2026 | Oral Examination: Tentatively, May 18, 2026Application deadline: June 1, 2026 | Oral Examination: Tentatively, June 8, 2026To learn more about the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Department, visit We're Here to Help! If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, the recruitment process, or need assistance with your application, please contact the Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Recruitment Team at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io tasks include:Providing a variety of highly skilled mental health, SUD and supportive services to a varied caseload of members.Providing a variety of highly skilled alcohol/drug services to a varied caseload of clients.Interviewing clients to screen/access their alcohol/drug use to determine their service needs.Participating in diagnostic and evaluative staff conferences for cooperative planning and treatment.Preparing daily records, summarizing progress of treatment for clients and keeping these records current.Consulting with other agencies, law enforcement and community service providers to exchange applicable information, identify services, and discuss referrals.Speaking to public and/or agency groups, to provide education that reduces stigma.Acting as a lead-worker or directs the work of others and offers training when needed.Advocating for and assisting clients in accessing and receiving services.Accompanying clients in court, and/or transporting clients in County vehicles.Providing case coordination and treatment planning and evaluation.Meeting regularly with clients and coaching them in developing age-appropriate social skills.Assisting in establishing clients' eligibility for Medi-Cal or other benefits and advocates for continuation of benefits.Facilitating the admission/discharge of clients to the County's acute psychiatric hospital or alcohol and drug residential program, when necessary.Interacting productively within a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic case management services.Minimum qualifications include:Fifteen (15) units of college credit* in a related field; AND Four (4) year's experience in crisis intervention, group/family/individual counseling or in a psychiatric inpatient setting or drug/alcohol treatment and recovery program.LVN or Psychiatric Technician license or 30 units of college credit* in a related field; AND Three (3) years experience in crisis intervention, group/family/individual counseling, or a psychiatric inpatient setting or drug/alcohol treatment and recovery program.Bachelors of Arts degree in a related field; AND Two (2) years responsible experience in crisis intervention, group/family/individual counseling, or a psychiatric inpatient setting or drug/alcohol treatment and recovery program.Master's degree in a related field such as Counseling, Psychology or Social Work.Desirable qualifications include:Substance Use Disorder registration and/or certification with one of the certifying organizations that meets the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) regulations; OROne (1) year of relevant work experience related to Substance Use Disorder services as defined in the tasks above.Application and selection procedures include:Application Review and ScreeningWritten ExaminationOral ExaminationEligible Lists